Dynamic playlist customization by adaptive streaming client

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising sending a first list of formats associated with media content to a client device via a network, and receiving from the client device a selection of a format from a second list of formats filtered from the first list using filtering criteria. The second list includes formats compatible with the client device. The filtering criteria can be based on performance metrics of the network and on capabilities of the client device. During presentation of the content at the client device in the selected format, transmission of the content item can be dynamically altered in response to a message that the presentation be continued in a different format. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/828,496, filed Dec. 1, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to video streaming on a network, and moreparticularly to a system for customizing a playlist for a client toensure that an item of content is played on a client device in the bestavailable format.

BACKGROUND

Media content can be delivered over a network to client device(s) usingadaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming. The format in which the content isbest presented depends on several factors including performance of thenetwork, configuration of the client device, and capabilities of theclient device. These factors can change over time, and in particular canchange during presentation of the content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates client-side filtering of a list ofcontent formats, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates dynamically altering a content format,in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a timing chart depicting an illustrative embodiment of contentpresentation with changing formats;

FIGS. 4-5 are connected flowcharts depicting an illustrative embodimentof a method used in portions of the system described in FIGS. 1-2;

FIGS. 6-7 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services to client devices shown in FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 6-7;

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for selecting a format in which an item of media content isto be presented at a client device communicating over a network, basedon a list, generated by the client device, of appropriate formats forthe media content. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a methodcomprising sending, by a processing system including a processor of amedia service provider, a first list of formats associated with a mediacontent item to a client device; the media service provider communicateswith the client device over a network. The method also comprisesreceiving from the client device a selection of a format forpresentation of the media content item; the selected format comprises anentry in a second list of formats generated by the client device inaccordance with filtering of the first list of formats by the clientdevice using filtering criteria. The filtering criteria are based atleast in part on performance metrics of the network, a user profile,capabilities of the client device, a physical environment of the clientdevice, or a combination thereof. The method further comprisestransmitting the media content item in the selected format to the clientdevice and, during the presentation of the media content item,dynamically altering transmission of the media content item to theclient device in response to an indication from the client device thatthe presentation be continued in a new format different from theselected format.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a devicecomprising a processing system including a processor of a media serviceprovider, and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations.The operations comprise sending a first list of formats associated witha media content item to a client device; the media service providercommunicates with the client device over a network. The operations alsocomprise receiving from the client device a selection of a format forpresentation of the media content item; the selected format comprises anentry in a second list of formats generated by the client device inaccordance with filtering of the first list of formats by the clientdevice using filtering criteria. The filtering criteria are based atleast in part on performance metrics of the network, a user profile,capabilities of the client device, a physical environment of the clientdevice, or a combination thereof. The operations further comprisereceiving a notice from the client device identifying a default formatdifferent from the selected format, and transmitting the media contentitem in the selected format to the client device. The operations alsocomprise dynamically altering transmission of the media content item tothe client device during the presentation of the media content item, inresponse to an indication from the client device that the presentationbe continued in a new format different from the selected format.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitorymachine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations comprise sending a first listof formats associated with a media content item to a client device via anetwork, and receiving from the client device a selection of a formatfor presentation of the media content item. The selected formatcomprises an entry in a second list of formats generated by the clientdevice, in accordance with filtering of the first list of formats by theclient device using filtering criteria. The filtering criteria are basedat least in part on performance metrics of the network, a user profile,capabilities of the client device, a physical environment of the clientdevice, or a combination thereof. The operations also comprisetransmitting the media content item in the selected format to the clientdevice and, during the presentation of the media content item,dynamically altering transmission of the media content item to theclient device in response to an indication from the client device thatthe presentation be continued in a new format different from theselected format.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment 100 of the disclosure, inwhich a media service provider and a client device communicate over anetwork, and in which the client device selects a format for mediacontent to be presented at the client device. In this embodiment, themedia service provider can include a media streaming server 120delivering media content 101 to the client device over network 150.Media content 101 is provided by a content provider system 110; in thisembodiment, the content provider system 110 and the media streamingserver 120 are different entities.

The media streaming server 120 maintains a list 122 of all the formatsin which the content 101 can be presented. In general, the same item ofcontent may be provided to the client device in any of multiple formats;the content may thus be available from streaming server 120 in multiplevariants, each in a different format. List 122 may be viewed as anunfiltered list that includes all formats for the content 101 that existon server 120.

When the client device 163 (operating in a client environment 160 andcommunicating with the service provider over network 150) requestscontent 101, the media streaming server 120 responds by sending theunfiltered format list 122 to the client device 163. Client device 163then stores list 122 in a local storage device (not shown in FIG. 1).

The client device performs a filtering procedure to determine whether aformat is appropriate for presentation of the content. In thisembodiment, client device 163 is aware of network conditions, and canfilter list 122 using criteria 141. Criteria 141 can includecharacteristics of the network 150 on which the client device operates,including network metrics (e.g. network traffic, available bandwidth),and a subscriber data plan associated with the client device. Moregenerally, criteria 141 include criteria that are network-related butdevice-independent; that is, criteria 141 are independent of theconfiguration or capabilities of the client device.

The filtering procedure at the client device also includes filteringusing device-related criteria 161. Criteria 161 can include features andconfigurations of client devices (in this embodiment, device 163 withvarious devices possibly connected thereto), features of the physicalenvironment in which the device operates, codecs supported by thedevice, user preferences, etc. For instance, any format that has aspatial video resolution exceeding that of the device screen can bedeemed inappropriate. As another instance, if the video is encoded in aformat that the device does not support, it will again be deemed asinappropriate.

Based on the filtering using criteria 141-161, the client device 163generates a customized list 162 of formats that are compatible with theclient device. List 162 includes all of the formats for content 101 thatare deemed appropriate by the client device for the currentconfiguration and environment of the client device. In the filteringprocedure, this determination is made for each entry on list 122; eachentry may be viewed as a variant of the content in the listed format.

The client device selects a format for presentation of the content fromlist 162, and transmits the selection 171 to the streaming server 120.The client device can then obtain the content in the selected format.

In another embodiment, the client device 163 can also select a defaultformat from list 162 for receiving the content 101, and transmit thisselection to the streaming server 120. The default format can be used toprovide the content if a fault occurs in transmitting the content in theselected format. The default format can be used until the client devicemakes another selection.

Some additional examples of criteria 161 that can be applied ingenerating the customized format list 162 are as follows:

(a) Data usage, according to the type of network (for example, cellularvs. Wi-Fi) and data plan (for example, capped vs. uncapped): The clientmay decide to not include high bit-rate variants in list 162 if, forexample, the client is on a cellular network and has a data cap, even ifthe client is able to play back those high bit-rate variants.

(b) Type of display device: The client device can be a smartphone ortablet that uses its own display, or alternatively be connected to amuch larger display (for example, a 4K television) with greatercapabilities.

(c) Display device capabilities: The display device capabilities canimpact display resolution, display dynamic range (for example, HighDynamic Range vs. Standard Dynamic Range), and display color gamut (forexample, a wide color gamut vs. a standard color gamut). If, forexample, content is to be presented on a smartphone with a small screen,HD resolution, and standard dynamic range, operating according to ITU-RRecommendation BT.709 (Rec709), list 162 may include one set of formats,but if the smartphone is connected to a 4K, high dynamic rangetelevision operating according to ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020 (Rec2020), list 162 may include a different set of formats.

(d) Type of audio output device: The client device (e.g. television orsmartphone) may use its own speakers; alternatively, the client devicemay be connected to a surround sound system or to headphones capable ofrendering immersive audio.

(e) Supported coding schemes: Some variants may be encoded using olderstandards (such as MPEG-2 video and Mp3 audio) while other variants maybe encoded using newer standards such as HEVC or E-AC3. In anembodiment, the client device may not itself support the newer codecs,but when connected to a smart TV may be able to pass through thosevariants using the newer codec to the smart TV.

(f) Battery status: In another embodiment, a smartphone may support thenewer codecs but, because its battery resources are limited, will usethe older codecs which use fewer CPU cycles (for example, when on aWi-Fi network with adequate bandwidth). In a further embodiment, theclient device may use lower resolution and/or lower bit-rate variants tosave battery power.

(g) Content provider fees/charges: A content provider may charge apremium for the 4K version and/or the HDR version of the content. If so,the user may not want to pay the higher fees, and filter the variantsaccordingly.

(h) Physical environment: In addition to its environment regardingdevice type, network connectivity, and/or network usage, the client canbe aware of its physical environment (e.g. light level, noise level,etc.) and construct a customized format list for delivering the contentin that environment.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a system 200 in which a content formatis dynamically altered, in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the client device environment 160includes several different devices (desktop computer 163, smartphone165, headphones 166, television 168) that can be connected in variousconfigurations. In this embodiment, streaming server 120 providescontent 201, in a format 202 previously selected by the client, tosmartphone 165.

If the client environment changes during the presentation (for example,the client is a mobile device moving into an area covered by a differentnetwork, the user connects headphones 166 to the smartphone 165, thebattery of smartphone 165 is re-charged, etc.), the client can generatea new customized format list 212 by re-filtering the stored format list122. The client can then select a new format for the content, and sendthe service provider a message 211 that the presentation of the contentis to be continued in the new format 221. In this embodiment, the clientmay also select a new default format, in addition to selecting a newformat for continuing the presentation.

It will be appreciated that in embodiments of the disclosure, contentcan be delivered by adaptive streaming applications in a format selectedby the client, where the client is network-aware as well as aware of itsown capabilities. Furthermore, the list of appropriate formats can bedynamically changed during presentation of the content.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart depicting an illustrative embodiment of contentpresentation with dynamically changing formats. As shown in FIG. 3,content to be presented by the client (e.g. content 201 in FIG. 2) issegmented into chunks, with each chunk having a duration typically 4-10seconds. The chunk boundaries are aligned across all formats, therebyproviding switching points between formats as the client environment 160varies and the client accordingly sends new alert messages 211 duringthe presentation.

In this embodiment, the content is initially presented using format 310;chunks 311-313 are delivered, ending at times T₁-T₃ respectively. Anevent occurs at time 351 (e.g. a bandwidth change), in response to whichthe client selects a new format 320. When delivery of the current chunk313 concludes, the presentation continues with the new format 320.Chunks 321-322 are delivered in this format, ending at times T₄, T₅respectively. Another event occurs at time 352 (e.g. a change in deviceconfiguration), in response to which the client selects a new format330. When delivery of the current chunk 322 concludes, the presentationcontinues with the new format 330. Chunks 331-333 are delivered in thisformat, ending at times T₆-T₈ respectively. An additional event occursat time 353 (e.g. a change in physical environment), in response towhich the client selects a new format 340. Chunks in format 340 aredelivered beginning at time T₈.

FIGS. 4-5 are connected flowcharts depicting an illustrative embodimentof a method used by systems 100-200. In response to a request 401 fromthe client, the streaming server associated with the media serviceprovider sends an unfiltered list of formats to the media serviceprovider (step 402); this list includes all formats in which the contentexists on the streaming server. The client stores the unfiltered list(step 404) at a storage device local to the client device.

The client device performs a filtering procedure using network-relatedand device-related criteria (step 406) to generate a list of formatscustomized for the client (step 408). The client stores the customizedlist (step 410). In this embodiment, the client device also identifies adefault format for providing the content (step 412).

The client device then transmits a selection of a format from thecustomized list to the media streaming server (step 414). The mediastreaming server proceeds to transmit the content in the selected formatto the client device (step 416).

The content presentation 501 by the client device comprises a series ofchunks in the selected format, transmitted by the media streamingserver. If a fault occurs in the transmission of the content (step 502),the media streaming server can switch to the default format and continuewith the presentation in that format (step 504). Otherwise, thepresentation continues in the selected format. During the presentation,if a change occurs (step 506) in the client environment (e.g. abandwidth or network change, a change in client device configuration, achange in physical environment, etc.), the client device can select anew format and transmit a message to the media streaming server,alerting the media streaming server of that selection (step 508). Themedia streaming server then continues to transmit chunks of content inthe new format (step 510). If a new format is not selected, the mediastreaming server continues to transmit chunks in the existing format,which may be the default format (step 512).

In an embodiment, the default format is used only until the clientselects another format (step 505). The client then transmits a messageto the media streaming server, alerting the media streaming server ofthat selection. Presentation in the selected alternate format can thenbegin with the next chunk 513.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 4-5, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 600for providing various communication services, such as delivering mediacontent. The communication system 600 can represent an interactive medianetwork, such as an interactive television system (e.g., an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) media system). Communication system 600 canbe overlaid or operably coupled with systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2as another representative embodiment of communication system 600. Forinstance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system600 of FIG. 6 can comprise a processing system including a processor ofa media service provider, and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations can comprise sending a firstlist of formats associated with a media content item to a client devicethat communicates with the media service provider device over a network.The operations can also comprise receiving from the client device aselection of a format for presentation of the media content item; theselected format can comprise an entry in a second list of formatsgenerated by the client device in accordance with filtering of the firstlist of formats by the client device using filtering criteria. Thefiltering criteria can be based at least in part on performance metricsof the network, a user profile, capabilities of the client device, aphysical environment of the client device, or a combination thereof. Theoperations can further comprise receiving a notice from the clientdevice identifying a default format different from the selected format,and transmitting the media content item in the selected format to theclient device. The operations can also comprise dynamically alteringtransmission of the media content item to the client device during thepresentation of the media content item, in response to an indicationfrom the client device that the presentation be continued in a newformat different from the selected format.

In one or more embodiments, the communication system 600 can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 610 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 611 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 611 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 614 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 612according to a multicast communication protocol. The VHS 614 candistribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 618 tocommercial and/or residential buildings 602 housing a gateway 604 (suchas a residential or commercial gateway).

The access network 618 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical linksor copper twisted pairs 619 to buildings 602. The gateway 604 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 606 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 608 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 607 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 604, the media processors 606, and media devices 608 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 606 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 629 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 6. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 600. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 615 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 631 coupled to thebuilding 602. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver631 can be transferred to the media processors 606 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 608. The media processors 606 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 632 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 633 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system600. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 633 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 600 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 630, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 632 towireline media devices 608 or wireless communication devices 616.

Communication system 600 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 630 to function as a server (herein referred to asserver 630). The server 630 can use computing and communicationtechnology to perform filtering of the lists of media contentpresentation formats, which can include, among other things, thetechniques in methods 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5. For instance, functions ofserver 630 can be similar to the functions described for media streamingserver 120 of FIG. 1 in accordance with methods 400-500. The mediaprocessors 606 and wireless communication devices 616 can be provisionedwith software functions to utilize the services of server 630. Forinstance, functions of media processors 606 and wireless communicationdevices 616 can be similar to the functions described <for thecommunication devices 165 of FIG. 2 in accordance with methods 400-500.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 617 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 700employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 700 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and communication system 600 asanother representative embodiment of communication system 600. Inparticular, communication system 600 can be configured to perform amethod comprising sending, by a processing system including a processorof a media service provider, a first list of formats associated with amedia content item to a client device, where the media service providercommunicates with the client device over a network. The method can alsocomprise receiving from the client device a selection of a format forpresentation of the media content item; the selected format can comprisean entry in a second list of formats generated by the client device inaccordance with filtering of the first list of formats by the clientdevice using filtering criteria. The filtering criteria can be based atleast in part on performance metrics of the network, a user profile,capabilities of the client device, a physical environment of the clientdevice, or a combination thereof. The method can further comprisetransmitting the media content item in the selected format to the clientdevice and, during the presentation of the media content item,dynamically altering transmission of the media content item to theclient device in response to an indication from the client device thatthe presentation be continued in a new format different from theselected format.

Communication system 700 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)740, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 730, and other networkelements of an IMS network 750. The IMS network 750 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 701,702, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 703, 705, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)720 coupled to a PSTN network 760. The MGCF 720 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 720.

IMS CDs 701, 702 can register with the IMS network 750 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 740. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 701 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 704 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF706. The originating S-CSCF 706 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 717 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 717 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 706 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 706 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 730 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 707 to submit a query to the HSS 740 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 714 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 702. Once identified, the I-CSCF 707 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 714. The terminating S-CSCF714 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 716 associated with theterminating CD 702. The P-CSCF 716 may then signal the CD 702 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 7 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 700 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 700 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 701, 702with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 600 ofFIG. 6.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD703 or CD 705 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 730 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 706 to forward the call to the MGCF 720 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 719. The MGCF 720 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 760 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 7 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 7 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 721, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 750 of FIG. 7. The cellular accessbase station 721 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 7.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 721 may communicate directly with the IMS network 750 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 721 and the P-CSCF716.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The server 630 of FIG. 6 can be operably coupled to communication system700 for purposes similar to those described above. Server 630 canprovide services to the CDs 701, 702, 703 and 705 of FIG. 7, which canbe adapted with software to utilize the services of the server 630.Server 630 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 717,which can be adapted to the operations of the IMS network 750.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 802 of acommunication system 800. Communication system 800 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, communicationsystem 600, and/or communication system 700 as another representativeembodiment of systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, communication system600, and/or communication system 700. The web portal 802 can be used formanaging services of systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 andcommunication systems 600-700. A web page of the web portal 802 can beaccessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browserusing an Internet-capable communication device such as those describedin FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and FIGS. 6-7. The web portal 802 can be configured,for example, to access a media processor 606 and services managedthereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD)catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog(such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored atthe media processor 606. The web portal 802 can also be used forprovisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internetservices, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 802 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications to adapt these applications as may be desired bysubscribers and/or service providers of systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1and/or 2, and communication systems 600-700. For instance, users of theservices provided by server 120 or server 630 can log into their on-lineaccounts and provision the server 120 or server 630 with filteringcriteria and software for communicating with client devices described inFIGS. 1-7, and so on. Service providers can log onto an administratoraccount to provision, monitor and/or maintain the systems 100-200 ofFIGS. 1 and/or 2 or server 630.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 900.Communication device 900 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2 andFIGS. 6-7, and can be configured to perform portions of methods 400-500of FIGS. 4-5.

Communication device 900 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 902 (herein transceiver 902), a user interface (UI) 904, apower supply 914, a location receiver 916, a motion sensor 918, anorientation sensor 920, and a controller 906 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 902 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 902 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 904 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 908 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device900. The keypad 908 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 900 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 908 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 904 can further include a display910 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 900. In anembodiment where the display 910 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 908 can be presented by way of the display 910 withnavigation features.

The display 910 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 900 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 910 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 910 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 904 can also include an audio system 912 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 912 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 912 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI904 can further include an image sensor 913 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 914 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 900 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 916 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 900 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 918can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 900 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 920 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device900 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 900 can use the transceiver 902 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 906 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 900.

Other components not shown in FIG. 9 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 900 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 906 of the communication device 900. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 900 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 900 to force thecommunication device 900 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 900 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 900 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 9. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 900 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, the media processor 606, the media devices608, or the portable communication devices 616 of FIG. 6, as well as theIMS CDs 701-702 and PSTN CDs 703-705 of FIG. 7. It will be appreciatedthat the communication device 900 can also represent other devices thatcan operate in systems of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, communication systems600-700 of FIGS. 6-7 such as a gaming console and a media player.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. Other embodiments can be used in the subjectdisclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1000 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 630, the media processor 606, themedia streaming server 120, the client devices 163,165, and otherdevices of FIGS. 1-2. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network 1026) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1000 may include a processor (or controller) 1002(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 1008. The computer system 1000 mayfurther include a display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 1000may include an input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1016, a signal generationdevice 1018 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 1020. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units1010 controlled by two or more computer systems 1000. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 1010, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 1010.

The disk drive unit 1016 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1022 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1024) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1024 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1004, the static memory 1006, and/or within theprocessor 1002 during execution thereof by the computer system 1000. Themain memory 1004 and the processor 1002 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 1022 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 1000. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: sending, by a processingsystem including a processor of a media service provider, a first listof formats associated with a media content item to a client device via anetwork; receiving, by the processing system, from the client device aselection of a format for presentation of the media content item, theformat selected from a second list of formats generated by the clientdevice in accordance with filtering of the first list of formats usingfiltering criteria, the filtering criteria based at least in part onperformance metrics of the network, capabilities of the client device,or a combination thereof; transmitting, by the processing system, themedia content item in the selected format to the client device; andresponsive to an interruption during a presentation of the media contentitem in the selected format, transmitting, by the processing system, themedia content item in a new format different from the selected format,wherein the media content item comprises a plurality of chunks, andwherein the media content item is transmitted in the new formatbeginning with a next succeeding chunk of the plurality of chunks, atemporal boundary between successive chunks providing a switching pointbetween the selected format and the new format.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, by the processing system, from theclient device a notice identifying a default format selected from thesecond list of formats; and responsive to a failure of transmission ofthe media content item during the presentation of the media contentitem, transmitting, by the processing system, the media content item inthe default format.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:receiving, by the processing system, a selection of an alternate format,wherein the client device selects the alternate format responsive toinitiation of the transmitting in the default format; and transmitting,by the processing system, the media content item in the alternateformat.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmission of the mediacontent item is dynamically altered from the selected format or the newformat to the default format during the presentation of the mediacontent item.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the new format isselected from a third list of formats generated by the client deviceresponsive to a change in environment of the client device duringtransmission of a chunk of the plurality of chunks.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the third list of formats is generated in accordancewith a second filtering of the first list of formats by the clientdevice.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the change in environment ofthe client device comprises a change in a physical environment of theclient device.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the change inenvironment of the client device comprises a change in the network, achange in bandwidth of the transmission of the media content item, achange in a configuration of the client device, or a combinationthereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the filtering criteriacomprise a coding scheme for the media content item.
 10. A devicecomprising: a processing system including a processor of a media serviceprovider; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: sending a first list of formats associated with a mediacontent item to a client device via a network; receiving from the clientdevice a selection of a format for presentation of the media contentitem, the format selected from a second list of formats generated by theclient device in accordance with filtering of the first list of formatsusing filtering criteria, the filtering criteria based at least in parton performance metrics of the network, capabilities of the clientdevice, or a combination thereof; transmitting the media content item inthe selected format to the client device; and responsive to aninterruption during a presentation of the media content item in theselected format, transmitting the media content item in a new formatdifferent from the selected format, wherein the media content itemcomprises a plurality of chunks, and wherein the media content item istransmitted in the new format beginning with a next succeeding chunk ofthe plurality of chunks.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein a temporalboundary between successive chunks comprises a switching point betweenthe selected format and the new format.
 12. The device of claim 10,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving from the clientdevice a notice identifying a default format selected from the secondlist of formats; and responsive to a failure of transmission of themedia content item during the presentation of the media content item,transmitting the media content item in the default format.
 13. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving aselection of an alternate format, wherein the client device selects thealternate format responsive to initiation of the transmitting in thedefault format; and transmitting the media content item in the alternateformat.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the transmission of themedia content item is dynamically altered from the selected format orthe new format to the default format during the presentation of themedia content item.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the new formatis selected from a third list of formats generated by the client deviceresponsive to a change in environment of the client device duringtransmission of a chunk of the plurality of chunks.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the third list of formats is generated in accordancewith a second filtering of the first list of formats by the clientdevice.
 17. A machine-readable medium comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processing system including a processor,facilitate performance of operations comprising: sending a first list offormats associated with a media content item to a client device via anetwork; receiving from the client device a selection of a format forpresentation of the media content item, the format selected from asecond list of formats generated by the client device in accordance withfiltering of the first list of formats using filtering criteria, thefiltering criteria based at least in part on performance metrics of thenetwork, capabilities of the client device, or a combination thereof;transmitting the media content item in the selected format to the clientdevice; and responsive to an interruption during a presentation of themedia content item in the selected format, transmitting the mediacontent item in a new format, wherein the media content item comprises aplurality of chunks, and wherein the media content item is transmittedin the new format beginning with a next succeeding chunk of theplurality of chunks.
 18. The machine-readable medium of claim 17,wherein the new format is different from the selected format, andwherein a temporal boundary between successive chunks comprises aswitching point between the selected format and the new format.
 19. Themachine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving from the client device a notice identifying adefault format selected from the second list of formats; and responsiveto a failure of transmission of the media content item during thepresentation of the media content item, transmitting the media contentitem in the default format.
 20. The machine-readable medium of claim 17,wherein the new format is selected from a third list of formatsgenerated by the client device responsive to a change in environment ofthe client device during transmission of a chunk of the plurality ofchunks.